Illinois Launches Program for LGBTQ+ Health Services

By Jennifer Geer

Photo byPhoto by Sophie Emeny on Unsplash

Note this article was written with the use of AI.

Illinois has launched a new state initiative to support and expand gender-affirming care. The Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Wellness and Equity Program, coordinated by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC), plans to provide comprehensive and medically necessary care for transgender, gender-diverse, and LGBTQ+ individuals throughout the state.

According to a recent press release, the program will help organizations serving LGBTQ+ communities to improve their ability to provide gender-affirming care. This initiative also addresses the impacts on Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color who identify as transgender, gender-diverse, or LGBTQ+. By offering specialized medical services, like hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgeries, and counseling, the program's mission is to provide comprehensive care for LGBTQ+ individuals and their unique needs.

Organizations were selected to participate in the program through a competitive grant process. The organizations include several programs in Chicago and the following:

• Springfield arm of the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University
• Central Illinois Friends in Peoria, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
• Douglas County Health Department in Tuscola, the Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ+ Center in Carbondale
• Centerstone in West Frankfort

The organizations will provide a range of services under the program, including training and behavioral health support, employing Healthcare Navigation Specialists, and offering gender-affirming care training for staff. Additionally, they will participate in a learning collaborative to develop strategies for broadening gender-affirming care.

Dulce M. Quintero, IDHS Secretary, stated. "Together with our partners, such as PHIMC and these grant recipients, we will counter stigma and provide equitable access to healthcare."

The Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) was chosen to be the lead organization for this initiative. The program aims to ensure equitable healthcare for all individuals, regardless of gender identity.

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